Learn to grow a bountiful harvest of heirloom tomatoes with instruction from expert gardener Marie Iannotti. Learn about unique heirloom varieties, and discover which type will grow best in your geographic area. Then, get started with seeds as you learn how to plant, repot and even light your seedlings for robust growth. Next, expertly transition your plants to the outdoors with proper mulch, homemade pesticides and routine pruning to help them thrive. You’ll even uncover the benefits of companion planting and learn about the various support structures available for your plants. Finally, find out how to harvest your fruit, store your crop and save your seeds for rich tomatoes, year after year. Plus, for tomato lovers short on space, Marie will share tricks for container gardening and demonstrate how to make an upside down tomato planter!

Lesson plan

9:53

Lesson 1. Introduction to Heirloom Tomatoes

Meet your instructor, author and Master Gardener emeritus Marie Iannotti, as she introduces you to the wonderful world of heirloom tomatoes. You’ll learn about determinate and indeterminate varieties, regional characteristics to take into consideration and tips to help you start planning for your own tomato plants.

19:13

Lesson 2. Starting Seeds

Start with the basics and work your way up to more complex considerations as Marie walks you through the fundamentals of starting seeds. Weigh your options between various types of lighting, soil, pots and watering systems to set your seedlings up for success. Marie shares pro tips on buying, repotting and caring for your seedlings as they grow.

17:04

Lesson 3. Preparing Your Garden

Take your classroom to your garden as you learn how to assess the soil’s pH, identify ways to provide your seedlings with the nutrients they’ll need and determine the best areas for sun exposure. Marie also shows you how to support your plants and give them access to as much sunlight and airflow as possible with the use of cages, trellises and more.

14:20

Lesson 4. Growing Tomatoes in Small Spaces

Discover ways to create bountiful tomato harvests in small spaces using creative, professional gardening techniques. You’ll learn how to plant tomatoes in a container, incorporate the best companion plants, understand container health needs and even hang your tomatoes upside-down!

10:36

Lesson 5. Care & Maintenance

Caring for your tomatoes and maintaining the health of your plants can seem daunting, but Marie helps demystify the process as she explains important techniques for pruning tomatoes and laying down mulch. You’ll learn how to keep weeds and unwanted pests out while attracting tomato-friendly insects to your garden.

12:55

Lesson 6. Special Growing Techniques

Discover more challenging and rewarding plant-care techniques as you learn even more of Marie’s tips for healthy tomato growth. Learn about the complexities of feeding and watering your garden, rotating your crop to keep all of your plants healthy and create the ideal fertilizer for your tomatoes with Marie’s help along the way.

12:35

Lesson 7. Finishing Techniques

Few things are as satisfying as a rewarding end product, and harvesting your tomato bounty is guaranteed to bring feelings of accomplishment and joy. Discover how and when to harvest your heirlooms, gain tips for encouraging green tomatoes to ripen and learn how sacrificing even a few tomatoes this year will yield valuable seeds for your next crop.

“Cannot thank you enough! I love, love, love ... the assortment of classes, as well as the fact that I can watch the lessons at my own pace, the instructions, the ability to write myself notes, etc. I also love the fact that the classes are for life! Thank you again for such a fantastic and wonderful site for just about everything I love to do!” - HARVESTMOONSierra Foothills, CA

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Lesson plan

9:53

Lesson 1. Introduction to Heirloom Tomatoes

Meet your instructor, author and Master Gardener emeritus Marie Iannotti, as she introduces you to the wonderful world of heirloom tomatoes. You’ll learn about determinate and indeterminate varieties, regional characteristics to take into consideration and tips to help you start planning for your own tomato plants.

19:13

Lesson 2. Starting Seeds

Start with the basics and work your way up to more complex considerations as Marie walks you through the fundamentals of starting seeds. Weigh your options between various types of lighting, soil, pots and watering systems to set your seedlings up for success. Marie shares pro tips on buying, repotting and caring for your seedlings as they grow.

17:04

Lesson 3. Preparing Your Garden

Take your classroom to your garden as you learn how to assess the soil’s pH, identify ways to provide your seedlings with the nutrients they’ll need and determine the best areas for sun exposure. Marie also shows you how to support your plants and give them access to as much sunlight and airflow as possible with the use of cages, trellises and more.

14:20

Lesson 4. Growing Tomatoes in Small Spaces

Discover ways to create bountiful tomato harvests in small spaces using creative, professional gardening techniques. You’ll learn how to plant tomatoes in a container, incorporate the best companion plants, understand container health needs and even hang your tomatoes upside-down!

10:36

Lesson 5. Care & Maintenance

Caring for your tomatoes and maintaining the health of your plants can seem daunting, but Marie helps demystify the process as she explains important techniques for pruning tomatoes and laying down mulch. You’ll learn how to keep weeds and unwanted pests out while attracting tomato-friendly insects to your garden.

12:55

Lesson 6. Special Growing Techniques

Discover more challenging and rewarding plant-care techniques as you learn even more of Marie’s tips for healthy tomato growth. Learn about the complexities of feeding and watering your garden, rotating your crop to keep all of your plants healthy and create the ideal fertilizer for your tomatoes with Marie’s help along the way.

12:35

Lesson 7. Finishing Techniques

Few things are as satisfying as a rewarding end product, and harvesting your tomato bounty is guaranteed to bring feelings of accomplishment and joy. Discover how and when to harvest your heirlooms, gain tips for encouraging green tomatoes to ripen and learn how sacrificing even a few tomatoes this year will yield valuable seeds for your next crop.

The instructor

Marie Iannotti, Instructor of Growing Heirloom Tomatoes

Marie Iannotti is a garden writer, photographer and speaker. She is a Master Gardener emeritus, as well as a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Today, Marie serves as an online gardening expert, and writes about her own garden adventures on her blog, Gardening in the Hudson Valley. She also has written two books, including The Beginner's Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables: The 100 Easiest-to-Grow, Tastiest-to-Eat Vegetables for Your Garden.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(4 reviews)

Lots of good information

by AnneRenata on February 15, 2015

I've picked up a lot of very useful information from this well presented class and looking forward to getting better results from my tomato growing. I like the fact that it covers everything from growing your own plants from seeds right up to harvesting and collecting seeds at the end.

I've picked up a lot of very useful information from this well presented class and looking forward to getting better results from my tomato growing. I like the fact that it covers everything from growing your own plants from seeds right up to harvesting and collecting seeds at the end.

Excellent Class About Growing Tomatoes

by tamaffitt on February 8, 2015

Informative. Just the right amount of lecture with demonstration.

Informative. Just the right amount of lecture with demonstration.

:)

by galvinka on October 26, 2014

Lots of great user friendly information. Looking forward to using the tips and tricks next growing season.

Lots of great user friendly information. Looking forward to using the tips and tricks next growing season.

Very Informative

by samisanch1183232 on August 5, 2014

Love it

Love it

Materials

What materials are used in this class?

SEED STARTING

Potting soil

Small pots

Labels

Markers

Seeds

Water

Fertilizer

Scissors

Plastic

Fan (optional)

Lights (optional)

CONTAINER PLANTING

Container

Potting soil

Slow-release fertilizer

Watering can or hose

Stake

Seedlings

IN THE GARDEN

Seedlings

Labels

Stakes, cage or trellis

Watering can or hose

Fertilizer

Shovel

Soil sample (optional)

pH kit (optional)

Companion plants (optional)

Soil amendments (optional)

Other supplies for options such as upside-down planters and seed storage are listed in the downloadable class materials that come with the purchase of each class

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Instructor Marie Iannotti’s engaging class will show you how to plant and successfully care for your tomato plants from seedlings to harvest in just about any space you can dream up. Whether you dream of having a patio container garden or filling a plot of land with plants, Marie has pro tips for tomato gardeners of all locations and experience levels!